Duel Gnarled Branches

[Aoki-Barran Mira]

Altiria-Anarris.

This evening was a bright one. Stars glittered in the sky, accompanied by the sounds of local wildlife singing in the night. The tree branches casted dancing shadows, the forest canopy swayed in the wind. Looking up, a hooded figure adjusted her straw hat. She gazed at the sky between the trees, fascinated. Every planet had a different night sky. She enjoyed the new arrangements of stars every time she came to a new planet.

Just outside the Empire's borders, an ISB ship had crashed landed after a hyperdrive malfunction. The result? A wrecked ship with no way out. Considering that the two civilizations on this planet wiped each other out long ago, there was no way back except for calling for help. Having been just within the border of the Empire, and available, the Imperial Knight Aoki Mira had been happy to help. Trailing behind her, a Zeltron agent adjusted her equipment as she groaned, "Are we there yet?"

Mira sighed. This was the millionth time she had asked!

"Yes."

"Really?"

Mira reached out and pushed some ferns aside, "Actually, yes."

In a flat clearing, resting on the rocky surface, was Mira's freighter.

The agent stepped up to stand next to Mira, "Maji Ironwork's Mynock freighter? Nice! Too bad we're at war with the Enclave now..."

Mira held her tongue. She was still upset that the unjustified and unsuccessful attack on Ilum had resulted in broken bonds with an old ally. These were thoughts the young knight was used to keeping to herself, however. Especially in front of the ISB and COMPNOR.

It was as the agent approached the freighter that the sensation hit her. The Half-Mirialan froze, feeling the Force whisper warnings in her ear... A cold, bitter presence wafted in the air, coming from the deep forest. Mira grimaced, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. The agent paused at the lowered ramp of the ship, turning and looking at Mira. Immediately, an intelligent look crossed her face, "You sense danger?"

Mira tilted her head slightly in a yes, reaching for the naginata hanging on her back. The agent reached for her pistol, but Mira extended her other hand motioning to stop.

"No. Power up the ship and take off. Stay in the atmosphere and wait for my signal to pick me up."

The ISB Agent nodded, "We're at the edge of Maw space too... Be careful, right now I owe you one."

It was ironic, an ISB Agent being nice to a Pellaeonist. Mira offered a small smile, "May the Force be with you."

As the ship's ramp lifted, Mira pulled her naginata off. The freighter took off, leaving the young knight to face the dark sider coming for her. They were close, but how close? She turned to face the direction where she sensed the presence, frowning as she pulled her kasa hat off. She held it out before letting go. The hat fell lightly to the ground as the imperial reached up and tugged at the mask at the side of her face. She was ready to slip it on, once the danger showed...

Darth Nemris
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[Darth Nemris]

The mission had not been a complete waste. Nemris had received word from a contact on Altiria that a package had been secured. What was in the package, Nemris was uncertain of, he had yet to find it. The informant had left a general location where the package could be found, and then promptly dissapeared. Nemris had sent some of his own agents to track the man down and kill him. To call a Sith out as a courier without explanation was an affront to the New Sith Order. The only reason Nemris had come at all was that the informant had said the package was something that Darth Mori herself would like to see.

Getting his hands on something meant for the Dark Lord was enough to move Nemris into action, despite his grievances.

So he had come to this world, deploying his agents to find the informant while he set off towards the location. As he drew nearer to the location, he began to sense the presence of a Force User. At first, he thought it a Jedi. He did not sense the familiar Dark Side presence that might signify one of his fellow Sith, a rival for securing the package. But as he drew closer, he could begin to sense the differences in this person. An Imperial Knight, if Nemris was to make an assumption.

A freighter took off nearby, and Nemris directed himself towards it. He watched it lift off and make for the atmosphere, and a quick tap on his left gauntlet informed the Brotherhood ship waiting in orbit to keep tabs on it. If the freighter had secured the package he had come here for, they would have to disable and board it, but he did not want to reveal the location of the ship yet. He would deal with the Knight left on the ground first, and then look for the package once more.

He began walking once more, black cloak and robes drifting slightly in the breeze of this world as he came to a halt several meters away from the woman. Nemris folded his silver coated hands before him, one hand gripping the wrist of the other, as he stared at the Imperial Knight, his yellow eyes just barely visible beneath the mask he wore. He looked her up and down for several moments, contemplating and evaluating, before finally deciding to speak. No words left his mouth, but the Imperial Knight would feel a presence lingering at the corners of her mind, and his words, cold and violent, echoing within.

"Who are you, child, and why are you here...?"

Aoki-Barran Mira

 

[Aoki-Barran Mira]

The figure that approached was wrapped in robes, ghostly and vacant beneath his mask. It was impossible to identify just what he was, and the use of telepathy as opposed to verbal communication just added to that uncomfortable atmosphere. Aoki Mira remained unmoved and calm, however. She did not raise her naginata, or eventer a combat stance, or even show signs of fear. She was perfectly cool headed.

She spoke telepathically as well, "I am Aoki Mira, Imperial Knight. I believe my business is none of your own."

The wind continued to blow, rustling Mira's hair. The young woman continued to stare down the Sith with piecing brown eyes. She finally pulled her own mask completely over her face, "We must fight, regardless of reasons, yes? The Maw would adore another victim to transform, and the Empire would be pleased to have a captured Sith for interrogation. Attack on sight."

She brought her naginata back, swinging it into an opening stance. Disciplined and poised, she darted forth with upmost elegance. She aimed multiple swift blows, all meaning to slice through his robes. The naginata was made with a songsteel blade and phrik shaft, easily capable of blocking lightsabers if this Sith had one.

Darth Nemris
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